Thomas Cook is STILL flying in Germany despite going bust – but they won’t get stranded Brits home
THOMAS Cook's German airline subsidiary, Condor, continues to operate after the travel firm collapsed.
But despite operations running as normal, the airline said it won't be carrying any Thomas Cook customers.
Condor said on Monday there were 240,000 people booked on its flights awaiting a return home.
The airline said its flights were still operating as usual but that it would not carry Thomas Cook customers booked for Monday or Tuesday.
In a statement on its website, Condor said: "Condor has been informed by your tour operator that unfortunately your flight will not be carried out as planned today or tomorrow. Therefore, it is with our sincerest apologies that we will not be able to accept on for your flight today.
"If you have any questions about your package tour, please contact Thomas Cook directly.
"If you would like to purchase a flight that is not part of your package tour, please contact the Condor service desk at your airport or visit the Condor website at ."
Commenting on Condor's continued operation, Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary said: "The main difference between the UK and German contexts is that the German government is considering Thomas Cook’s request for short-term state aid, while the UK government gave a firm ‘no’.
"Is that the reason that Thomas Cook found a way to keep the German airline operating, while the UK airline was grounded, thousands of staff members immediately lost their jobs and the UK tax-payer is having to foot a £600m bill for repatriation efforts?"
A rescue fleet of more than 40 jumbo jets will bring 150,000 stranded holidaymakers back to the UK after Thomas Cook collapsed last night.
The Sun revealed ministers have chartered dozens of aircraft as they plan the UK’s biggest repatriation since World War Two.
The 178-year-old British travel firm had until 11.59pm last night to pay the £200million it owed its creditors or else they'd go under.
As many as 9,000 British employees among 21,000 staff globally now face losing their jobs after the world's oldest travel company plunged into bankruptcy.
Thomas Cook officially entered administration when the London stock exchange opened at 8am this morning.
Travellers expecting to board Thomas Cook planes in the UK today have been told to stay at home as ALL flights are grounded permanently.
What we know so far...
- Thomas Cook has ceased trading and went into administration when the stock market opened at 8am
- Customers due to fly out of the UK with Thomas Cook today have been told to stay at home
- Thomas Cook planes are heading back to their UK bases and are being grounded
- As many as 9,000 British employees among 21,000 staff around the world stand to lose their jobs
- The largest peacetime repatriation of British citizens - dubbed Operation Matterhorn - will begin in the coming hours
- As many as 150,000 British holidaymakers face uncertainty over how they'll get home
The final Thomas Cook plane in operation landed at Manchester Airport at 5am this morning after taking off from Orlando, Florida.
Announcing it was ceasing trading, Thomas Cook said on its website: "All future flights and holidays are cancelled."
The brief statement added: "A dedicated support service is being provided by The Civil Aviation Authority to assist customers overseas and those in the UK with future bookings."
Worried customers were asked to visit for more information - although the site has crashed several times.
Have you been affected by the Thomas Cook chaos? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368
PLANES ON THE WAY
It is thought planes were already being sent to holiday spots last night to start bringing Brits home after plane spotters saw aircraft take off.
But the Civil Aviation Authority warned: "Due to the significant scale of the situation, some disruption is inevitable."
The watchdog added in a statement that it "will endeavour to get people home as close as possible to their planned dates."
Thomas Cook was forced to deny claims it could take up to two weeks to bring holidaymakers home - insisting homeward flights would be close to customers' original return dates.
But it was unclear what will happen to the firm's 400,000 foreign customers now stranded in resorts around the world.
MOST READ IN TRAVEL
Transport Secretary Grant Schapps added: “Thomas Cook’s collapse is very sad news for staff and holidaymakers.
“The Government and UK CAA is working round the clock to help people.
“Our contingency planning has helped acquire planes from across the world - some from as far away as Malaysia - and we have put hundreds of people in call centres and at airports.
“But the task is enormous, the biggest peacetime repatriation in UK history.
"So there are bound to be problems and delays.
“Please try to be understanding with the staff who are trying to assist in what is likely to be a very difficult time for them as well.
Tips for tourists
Q: I'm out of the country on a Thomas Cook holiday - what happens now?
A: The Civil Aviation Authority’s Operation Matterhorn will coordinate the repatriation of customers at the end of their holiday.
Q: I only bought Thomas Cook flights. Am I still protected?
A: No. Unfortunately, only package holiday customers are covered by the company’s Atol licence. Rival airlines may offer special rescue fares.
Q: I am on a Thomas Cook holiday and my hotel is insisting I pay them again. What do I do?
A: Refuse to pay. You have already paid Thomas Cook. The hotelier will have to apply via Atol.
Q: I have booked a Thomas Cook holiday? What happens now they've gone bust?
A: Anyone who has booked a package holiday is also covered by Atol and can apply to the CAA for their money back.
Read our Thomas Cook live blog for all the latest news and updates.
Sun Online Travel has contacted Condor for comment.
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